TORONTO, July 23, 2002 (LSN.ca) – Pope John Paul II’s arrival in Canada has transformed Toronto and Canada seemingly overnight. Pro-life and Catholic leaders in Canada have been stunned by the surprisingly positive (with some exceptions) media coverage of World Youth Day (WYD) beginning Monday. Moreover, a LifeSite reporter roaming the streets of Toronto covering WYD events has been amazed by the number of singing, joyful groups of pilgrims present everywhere throughout the city’s large downtown area. Television and radio coverage of the Pope’s remarks as he was welcomed to Toronto today was thorough. The two national newspapers, The National Post and Globe and Mail are featuring articles by young articulate faithful Catholics. The National Post has, as LifeSite reported yesterday, asked newly ordained Rev. Raymond De Souza to write a daily commentary on WYD which has even received front page coverage. The Globe and Mail is running a daily column during WYD by World Youth Alliance leader Anna Halpine. Also, Global Television is having Fr. De Souza do commentary on the WYD for its broadcasts.
Stories by the Canadian Press on the arrival of the pilgrims in Toronto Monday noted that when presented with condoms by anti-Catholic groups, the pilgrims tossed the condoms into the garbage and one pilgrim was quoted saying: “how naëve do they think we are.” LifeSite Manager and roving reporter Steve Jalsevac has covered Toronto witnessing countless groups of WYD pilgrims engaged in fun, faith filled activities in the streets of the city. “The joyfulness of the young people is infectious,” recounted Jalsevac. (See Steve’s report on the WYD pilgrims praying outside Scott abortuary with Msgr. Reilly of Helpers of God’s Precious Infants)